Rep Power: 0

My 2002 civic Ex, D17A2 keeps leaking oil for some reason i have no idea..i changed both gaskets and I'm still seeing oil running down on the front of the transmission just above the slave cylinder. I put silicone on the vtec before i installed it and the problem still there. I read post on here where people sand the surface of the vtec and it helped them but it didn't work for me. I even swapped out mine for another from the junkyard but it still leaking..how i know thats the vtec is because i checked the camshaft plug by the EGR valve and its free from oil and when i checked the vtec behind the head there was oil under the bottom of it so i figured its the problem..i ask some mechanics around my way and told its my vtec leaking and running from the back to the front..any suggestions on this?

 
Rep Power: 517

I'd expect the cam plug and/or the gaskets on the vtec valve, but that's just guessing at the typical stuff. Valve cover gasket issue?
The cam plug will always leak oil to the top of the trans. The o ring deteriorates and the plug is plastic., Honda part# 12513-P72-003 It's like 12 bucks retail according to one of the online us honda dealers catalogs. .

The vtec valve leaks might not always leave oil in the same place on top of the trans.

Can you pinpoint the exact origin of the oil?
Start fresh
Clean up all the oil mess, clean all oil residue away with something like brake parts cleaner, make sure everything is completely dry.....
Throw white powder all over, this will be for leak tracing. Fresh oil leaking should leave a easily visible path to follow.
There are specialized products available, but you can try Bath talc,/baby powder, spray right guard deodorant, , maybe even plain bleached flour from the kitchen.


Oh god. Hope that doesn't find its way to places it shouldn't be.
Fresh rubber gaskets should not need extra help to seal.

 
Rep Power: 0

kitchen. I wasn't be crazy when i was putting the silicone on the vtec mating surface. I will make a check again on see where its coming and repost whatever i find..

 
Rep Power: 0

i checked to see where the oil is coming from that shows on the side of the transmission above the clutch slave cylinder or whatever they call it. I checked the the bottom of the Vtec and nothing but oil when i wiped my fingers underneath it. The gaskets are new so i dont know why it is leaking. The top gasket is fine. The no oil coming from the top, just the bottom only. What your think causing this every lasting leaks?

 
Rep Power: 209

On the two 6th gen EX's I owned in the past I ended using Hondabond on top of the new Vtec gasket because the new gasket wouldn't seal correctly by itself. I've read the Vtec solenoid mating surface can warp slightly and causes sealing issues. I can't verify warping as a fact, though maybe a possibility.

You could try sanding the Vtec's mating surface but make sure you do it on a completely flat surface. Tape the sandpaper to the flat surface and move the Vtec solenoid mating surface back and forth across the sandpaper. Read: http://www.leftlanebrain.com/cylinder-head-resurfacing/

Also, use an accurate inch/pound torque wrench on the mounting bolts to supply even pressure when installing the Vtec solenoid. Torque to service manual spec.

 
Rep Power: 0

yeah, read about the mating surface can warp. Anyway, i did an inspiration of where the oil leak is coming from on the solenoid and i realized that it's not the solenoid itself, its the switch at the side is leaking. It wasn't tight enough so back it out and put some silicone on it and reinstalled it and no more leaks. I checked it a few times since i put it on and its spotless.

 
Rep Power: 0

So here I'm having this never-ending leaking from my D17A2 vtec solenoid switch, the picture below will show exactly what I'm talking about. I bought oring from the dealer and use RTV but it only stop for a day or two and start leaking again. I sure its not the gasket that between the vtec and the head or the one at the top. I took picture before i wipe the oil away and it shows the oil leaking from that switch at the side and spray on the coolant hose that runs just beside it. Any ideas what next to do? I dont want to buy a whole vtec solenoid to stop this leaking.

 
Rep Power: 517

If someone overtightened that switch, the aluminum might be cracked

 
Rep Power: 0

its the sensor itself the white plastic part that attached to the part that screw in the vtec solenoid was leakking.i changed it and no more leaking.

 
Rep Power: 125

Awesome to hear. Hopefully your car never has a single issue again.

 
Rep Power: 0

i have this vibrating issues. I adjusted the valves like 10 times or more and it will be ok for a few and then shortly afterwards it started vibrating. Last Saturday i adjusted them and it was fine and when I'm ready to leave work and start the car it Started vibrating. My engine mounts are new,just one year since i replace them so i dont think those are my problem. It doesn't matter how i set the valve between .007-009 intake and .008-0010 Exhaust it still vibrating. I dont see what I'm doing wrong or what could cause this problem.. I set my TDC at first with the up mark on the cam pulley in the up position and with the 2 dots on the sides of the cam pulley level with the cyl head. Set the #1 cyl valve lash then turn over at 90 degree and set cyl #3 turn again and set cyl#4 then last cyl#2 while snugged them real good while holding the screw driver tightly. All with light drag on the feeler gauge so i dont know whsts going on..i been on here with this problem but no answer to resolve it as yet.